Definition - What does Neutral Position mean?
A neutral position, within the context of health and wellness, is a manner of maintaining one's body at a workstation in a relaxed position so that the joints are aligned, minimizing stress on the tendons, muscles, and skeletal system. This reduces the risk of an employee developing a musculoskeletal disorder, and maximizes range of motion.
SureHire explains Neutral Position
Neutral position is a posture in which stress on parts of the body is avoided. The posture varies by body position (sitting, standing, etc).
When sitting in a chair in neutral position, the knees should be kept at a ninety-degree angle position, hands, arms and wrists are in line and parallel to the floor, feet rest completely on the floor (unless a footrest is used), the head faces forward, elbows are kept close to the body and bent at an angle of ninety to one hundred and twenty degrees, the back is supported by a lumbar cushion, and thighs and hips rest comfortably on a padded seat parallel to the floor.
An employee can also stand in neutral position using the same principles. Utilizing a neutral position minimizes stress and strain on an employee's muscles, tendons, and helps prevents musculoskeletal disorders from forming. The neutral position also maximizes range of motion for the task at hand.
